CVE-2023-41529 in Hospital Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 08/07/2025
Hospital Management System v4 was discovered to contain multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in func2.php via the fname and lname parameters.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41529 represents a critical security flaw within the Hospital Management System v4 software, specifically affecting the func2.php component through improper input validation mechanisms. This issue manifests as multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that arise when the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied data passed through the fname and lname parameters. The vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user input, where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive healthcare data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard XSS attack patterns where an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within the fname and lname parameters of the func2.php endpoint. When the vulnerable application processes this input without proper sanitization or encoding, the injected scripts become part of the web page response and execute in the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for Initial Access through spearphishing attachments or links. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates potential pathways for attackers to access sensitive patient information, manipulate medical records, or conduct further attacks within the hospital network. In healthcare environments, where patient data privacy is paramount, this vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to protected health information, potentially violating HIPAA regulations and exposing patients to identity theft or medical fraud. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that hospital management systems typically contain highly sensitive data including personal health records, medical histories, and financial information. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the system, potentially compromising the entire healthcare information system infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-41529 should prioritize immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Hospital Management System. The primary fix involves sanitizing all user-supplied input through proper encoding before processing or displaying the data, specifically ensuring that the fname and lname parameters undergo appropriate HTML entity encoding. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution within the application. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of all web application components to identify similar vulnerabilities, implement proper web application firewalls, and establish secure coding practices that address CWE-79 principles. Regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing should be conducted to prevent similar issues from emerging in future system versions. The remediation process must also include proper security training for developers to ensure adherence to secure coding standards and prevent recurrence of such vulnerabilities in future software releases.